Preloaded torque converter with plug-in flywheel mounting

Abstract

A torque converter assembly including means for reducing the axial thrust loading transmitted to the crankshaft by which the torque converter is driven and to thereby reduce thrust wear of the crankshaft bearing. This means includes a thrust washer loosely retained in the turbine hub of the torque converter and a shaft bolt securing the thrust washer and turbine hub to the end of a transmission input shaft driven by the torque converter. Also, the torque converter is coupled to the engine flywheel by a plug-in mounting comprising a plurality of drive lugs secured to the torque converter housing and received in aligned bores formed in the face of the flywheel.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a torque converter of the type having an engine driven cover and impeller and a turbine having a hub, a transmission input shaft received in said turbine hub and driven by said turbine, the improvement comprising a thrust washer loosely retained in a recessed end of the turbine hub, said input shaft having a tapped opening in the end thereof, a stop on said shaft spaced from the end, and a shaft bolt having an enlarged head adapted to abut the thrust washer and extend through said washer to threadingly engage the shaft opening. 
     
     
       2. A torque converter as set forth in claim 1, in which said turbine hub is clamped by said shaft bolt between the thrust washer and the shaft stop. 
     
     
       3. A torque converter as set forth in claim 2, wherein a groove is formed in the input shaft spaced from the end thereof, and said stop comprises a snap ring received in said groove. 
     
     
       4. A torque converter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cover has a raised central portion with an access opening therein to allow the shaft bolt to pass therethrough. 
     
     
       5. A torque converter as set forth in claim 4, including a cover pilot secured onto the raised cover portion and having a threaded access opening therein axially aligned with the opening in the cover, the thrust washer and the tapped shaft opening. 
     
     
       6. A torque converter as set forth in claim 5, including a cover pilot plug threadingly engaging the access opening, and a flywheel driven by a vehicle engine and operatively connected to said torque converter cover, said flywheel having a central recess receiving said cover pilot. 
     
     
       7. A torque converter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said recess in the turbine hub forms a shoulder abutted by said thrust washer, said cover having a raised central portion with an access opening aligned with said tapped opening, said thrust washer having a central opening receiving said shaft bolt, a cover pilot secured on said raised cover portion and having a threaded access opening, a cover pilot plug threadingly engaging said threaded opening, said shaft having an annlar groove formed therein spaced from the end, said stop comprising a snap ring received in said groove, and an engine driven flywheel operatively connected to said cover and having a central recess receiving said cover pilot. 
     
     
       8. In a torque converter assembly of the type having a cover operatively connected to an engine driven flywheel, an impeller secured to said cover and a turbine driving a transmission input shaft, the improvement comprising a plug-in connection between said cover and said flywheel and including a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced axially extending drive lugs secured to the surface of said cover facing said flywheel, said flywheel surface facing said cover having a series of spaced bores therein receiving said drive lugs, each drive lug having an annular groove formed therein, and a round metallic snap ring received in each groove to engage the interor surface of said flywheel bore. 
     
     
       9. A torque converter as set forth in claim 8, in which said drive lugs are welded to said cover, and said snap rings create a line bearing contact between each said drive lug and associated flywheel bore to take care of any perpendicular misalignment.